Observational Studies In Epidemiology Research Articles

The impact of cognitive fusion on stress among nurses: Exploring gender as a moderator controlling for depressive symptoms.

To investigate the influence of cognitive fusion on stress among nurses, with a focus on exploring gender as a moderator among Jordanian nurses controlling for depressive symptoms. Stress is a significant concern among healthcare workers, particularly nurses, given the escalating work demands and organizational constraints. Data were collected from 206 nurses using a cross-sectional design. Participants completed surveys that included measures for cognitive fusion, stress, and depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis included bivariate correlations, independent sample t-tests, and moderation analysis using Hayes PROCESS. The results were reported using The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. The findings revealed a moderate correlation among stress, cognitive fusion, and depressive symptoms. The regression model explained 42% of the variance in stress, with significant contributions from cognitive fusion, gender, depressive symptoms, and the interaction between cognitive fusion and gender. Gender moderated the relationship between cognitive fusion and stress, indicating differential effects for males and females. This study underscores the importance of cognitive fusion in understanding and managing stress among nurses. The moderating effect of gender highlights the need for tailored interventions. Reducing stress among nurses may benefit their mental health and potentially enhance patient care and treatment outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FORNURSING PRACTICE AND POLICY: The study highlights crucial implications for nursing policy. Addressing cognitive fusion is vital to reducing nurse stress, directly impacting patient care quality and healthcare outcomes. Policymakers should prioritize gender-aware strategies within nursing policies, fostering a less stressful and more supportive work environment. By doing so, healthcare institutions can enhance the well-being of nurses and ultimately improve patient care, aligning with broader healthcare policy objectives of patient safety and quality improvement.

Mechanisms of the influence of proactive personality on nurses' sense of social responsibility: A structural equation modelling study.

To explore the mechanism of proactive personality influence on nurses' sense of social responsibility through a serial multiple mediation model of volunteering motivation and self-efficacy. Further analysis of a cross-sectional and survey-based study. In June 2023, a study was conducted with 722 Chinese nurses from four hospitals. Data were collected using the Proactive Personality Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale, the Motivation to Volunteer Scale and the Nurses' Sense of Social Responsibility Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the relationship between nurses' sense of social responsibility and its correlative factors. Structural equation modelling showed a good model fit. Proactive personality, self-efficacy and motivation to volunteer can directly influence nurses' sense of social responsibility (β = .12, β = .04, β = .50, p < .05). According to the test of chained mediation effects, proactive personality was significant through a single mediation path of self-efficacy (Z = 2.33, p < .05) and motivation to volunteer (Z = 7.32, p < .05) and through successive mediation paths of both variables (Z = 3.33, p < .05). A proactive personality can motivate nurses' social responsibility. Therefore, prompting nurses to be more proactive can effectively enhance nurses' sense of social responsibility. This study was reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross-sectional studies. This study explored the mechanisms influencing nurses' sense of social responsibility at the end of the epidemic. The results may inform the maintenance of high levels of long-term effects of nurses' social responsibility and shed light on building a standing workforce for public health emergencies.

The OHStat Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies and Clinical Trials in Oral Health Research: Manuscript Checklist.

Adequate and transparent reporting is necessary for critically appraising published research. Yet, ample evidence suggests that the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of oral health research could be greatly improved. Accordingly, the Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research-statisticians and trialists from academia and industry-identified the minimum information needed to report and evaluate observational studies and clinical trials in oral health: the OHStat Guidelines. Drafts were circulated to the editors of 85 oral health journals and to Task Force members and sponsors and discussed at a December 2020 workshop attended by 49 researchers. The guidelines were subsequently revised by the Task Force's writing group. The guidelines draw heavily from the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT), Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), and CONSORT harms guidelines and incorporate the SAMPL guidelines for reporting statistics, the CLIP principles for documenting images, and the GRADE indicating the quality of evidence. The guidelines also recommend reporting estimates in clinically meaningful units using confidence intervals, rather than relying on P values. In addition, OHStat introduces 7 new guidelines that concern the text itself, such as checking the congruence between abstract and text, structuring the discussion, and listing conclusions to make them more specific. OHStat does not replace other reporting guidelines; it incorporates those most relevant to dental research into a single document. Manuscripts using the OHStat guidelines will provide more information specific to oral health research.

The OHStat guidelines for reporting observational studies and clinical trials in oral health research: manuscript checklist.

Adequate and transparent reporting is necessary for critically appraising published research, yet ample evidence suggests that the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of oral health research could be greatly improved. Accordingly, the Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research, statisticians and trialists from academia and industry, identified the minimum information needed to report and evaluate observational studies and clinical trials in oral health: the OHStat guidelines. Drafts were circulated to the editors of 85 oral health journals and to Task Force members and sponsors and discussed at a December 2020 workshop attended by 49 researchers. The guidelines were subsequently revised by the Task Force writing group. The guidelines draw heavily from the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT), Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, and CONSORT harms guidelines, and incorporate the SAMPL guidelines for reporting statistics, the CLIP principles for documenting images, and the GRADE indicating the quality of evidence. The guidelines also recommend reporting estimates in clinically meaningful units using confidence intervals, rather than relying on P values. In addition, OHStat introduces seven new guidelines that concern the text itself, such as checking the congruence between abstract and text, structuring the discussion, and listing conclusions to make them more specific. OHStat does not replace other reporting guidelines; it incorporates those most relevant to dental research into a single document. Manuscripts using the OHStat guidelines will provide more information specific to oral health research.

The OHStat Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies and Clinical Trials in Oral Health Research: manuscript checklist

Adequate and transparent reporting is necessary for critically appraising published research. Yet, ample evidence suggests that the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of oral health research could be greatly improved. Accordingly, the Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research—statisticians and trialists from academia and industry—identified the minimum information needed to report and evaluate observational studies and clinical trials in oral health: the OHStat Guidelines. Drafts were circulated to the editors of 85 oral health journals and to Task Force members and sponsors and discussed at a December 2020 workshop attended by 49 researchers. The guidelines were subsequently revised by the Task Force’s writing group. The guidelines draw heavily from the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT), Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), and CONSORT harms guidelines and incorporate the SAMPL guidelines for reporting statistics, the CLIP principles for documenting images, and the GRADE indicating the quality of evidence. The guidelines also recommend reporting estimates in clinically meaningful units using confidence intervals, rather than relying on P values. In addition, OHStat introduces 7 new guidelines that concern the text itself, such as checking the congruence between abstract and text, structuring the discussion, and listing conclusions to make them more specific. OHStat does not replace other reporting guidelines; it incorporates those most relevant to dental research into a single document. Manuscripts using the OHStat guidelines will provide more information specific to oral health research.

Associations between modifiable risk factors and hepatocellular carcinoma: a trans-ancestry Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundPotentially modifiable risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been investigated in observational epidemiology studies in East Asian and European populations, whereas the causal associations of most of these risk factors remain unclear.MethodsWe collected genome-wide association summary statistics of 22 modifiable risk factors in East Asians and 33 risk factors in Europeans. Genetic summary statistics of HCC were sourced from the Biobank Japan study (1,866 cases and 195,745 controls) for East Asians, and the deCODE genetics study (406 cases and 49,302 controls) and the UK Biobank (168 cases and 372 016 controls) for Europeans. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed independently for East Asian and European populations.ResultsIn East Asians, genetically predicted alcohol frequency, ever drinkers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hypothyroidism, chronic hepatitis B, and chronic hepatitis C, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and autoimmune hepatitis were significantly associated with an increased HCC risk (P < 0.05/22). Among European population, alanine transaminase, AST, MASLD, percent liver fat, and liver iron content were significantly associated with a higher risk of HCC (P < 0.05/33). The replication dataset and meta-analysis further confirmed these results.ConclusionsAlthough East Asian and European populations have different factors for HCC, their common modifiable risk factors AST and MASLD for HCC, offer valuable insights for targeted intervention strategies to mitigate society burden of HCC.

Methodological and Statistical Considerations for Cross-Sectional, Case-Control, and Cohort Studies.

Epidemiological studies are essential in medicine and public health as they help identify risk factors and causes of diseases. Additionally, they are key to planning, implementing, and evaluating health interventions aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of diseases. Among these studies, analytical observational studies, such as cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies, are the most used. The validity of their results largely depends on the robustness of the design, execution, and statistical analysis. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the most common errors in the selection of methodological design and statistical tests in analytical observational studies and to provide recommendations to correct them. Methodology: A comprehensive review of the available literature on methodology in epidemiological observational studies was conducted, focusing on cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies. Common errors in the selection of designs and statistical tests were identified and analyzed. Results and Conclusions: Errors in the selection of methodological design and statistical tests are common in epidemiological observational studies. Based on the identified errors, a series of recommendations is provided to improve the selection of methodological design and statistical tests, thereby increasing the reliability of the results in cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies.

Biomarkers and Related Factors for the Diagnosis, Risk of Coronary Artery Lesions, and Resistance to Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Kawasaki Disease: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limited febrile disease predominantly affecting infants and children under 5 years old. Coronary artery lesions (CAL) are a prevalent complication, highlighting the necessity for swift diagnosis and treatment. A comprehensive review of biomarkers applicable for the diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD) in clinical settings is imperative. To provide a comprehensive review and analysis of biomarkers for diagnosis of KD, incidence of CAL, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance. The data included in our study were sourced from searches conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, EBSCO, and Google Scholar until March 15, 2024. Studies investigating the association with KD or evaluating diagnostic value were included in our study. Eligibility was independently assessed by two authors, with conflicts resolved through discussion. Data extraction was performed by 2 independent authors, following Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guideline. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. We assess biomarkers relevant to KD, categorizing them into three groups: diagnostic, associated with CAL incidence, and linked to IVIG resistance. For studies focusing solely on association, we present standardized mean differences (SMD). For those reporting sensitivity and specificity as diagnostic measures, we calculate the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) to compare their efficacy. We identified 14 meta-analyses on biomarkers related to KD. 11 biomarkers exhibited diagnostic value for KD, while 21 were associated with its progression. Four biomarkers, including non-codingRNAs (DOR, 19.35 [95% CI, 13.58-27.56]), Serumferritin (DOR, 24.90 [11.67-53.12]), NterminalproBNP (DOR, 21.03 [9.03-49.00]), and microRNAs (DOR, 45.28 [6.30-325.52]), have significant diagnostic value for the diagnosis of KD. Seven biomarkers showed significant association with the incidence of CAL. Twenty biomarkers were for the prediction of IVIG resistance, including prognostic nutritional index (DOR, 7.72 [95% CI, 2.37-25.09]), non-codingRNAs (DOR, 14.63 [3.24-66.14]), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (DOR, 6.62 [4.05-10.81]), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (DOR, 3.30 [2.10-5.19]), and Creactive protein (DOR, 6.58 [3.69-11.74]). Based on the evidence, we have proposed various biomarkers associated with KD. Our aim is for these biomarkers to have wide applicability in both diagnostic and therapeutic settings.

An Observational Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Correlation between Clinical Competencies and Clinical Reasoning among Italian Registered Nurses.

Ability, knowledge, aptitude, and skill are the terms identified in the literature as the attributes of the concept of clinical competence. This implies that in order to act competently in their own context, the nurse must be able to make decisions which mainly depend on the ability to put clinical reasoning into practice. However, the evaluation of clinical reasoning in the various clinical-care activities of nursing competence is a necessary operation to prevent routine attitudes. From the perspective of an assessment of nursing competences, the aim of this study is to validate the relationship between the degree of competence recognized in a specific clinical setting and the amount of clinical reasoning executed by nurses. The study design was a cross-sectional observational design, following the guidelines of the Strengthening Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) of observational studies. Both the Italian Nurse Competence Scale and the Nurse Clinical Reasoning Scale were used. The data was collected between 25 January and 5 March 2022. Four hundred twenty-four clinical nurses participated by completing and returning the questionnaires. The instruments underwent assessment to ensure internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Their validity was tested with the validity of known content, construct, and groups. This is supported by statistically significant correlations between the different variables examined and the scores of the different dimensions of the Italian Nurse Competence Scale and the Italian Nurse Clinical Reasoning Scale. The data collected showed an excellent average level of competencies and clinical reasoning, M = range of 72.24 and 63.93, respectively. In addition, we observed satisfactory scores across all dimensions of I-NCS (significance range: 0.000-0.014) and I-NCRS (significance range: 0.000-0.004). The understanding and development of clinical reasoning has also brought out new aspects that require further research. This study provides a fresh perspective on the correlation between clinical competences and clinical reasoning, representing a novel attempt to analyze their relationship.

Polyphenols in Cereals: State of the Art of Available Information and Its Potential Use in Epidemiological Studies.

Cereals are the basis of much of the world's daily diet. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the beneficial properties of wholegrains due to their content of phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols. Despite this, the existing data on polyphenolic composition of cereal-based foods reported in the most comprehensive databases are still not updated. Many cereal-based foods and phenolic compounds are missing, including pigmented ones. Observational epidemiological studies reporting the intake of polyphenols from cereals are limited and inconsistent, although experimental studies suggest a protective role for dietary polyphenols against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Estimating polyphenol intake is complex because of the large number of compounds present in foods and the many factors that affect their levels, such as plant variety, harvest season, food processing and cooking, making it difficult matching consumption data with data on food composition. Further, it should be taken into account that food composition tables and consumed foods are categorized in different ways. The present work provides an overview of the available data on polyphenols content reported in several existing databases, in terms of presence, missing and no data, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of methods for assessing cereal polyphenol consumption. Furthermore, this review suggests a greater need for the inclusion of most up-to-date cereal food composition data and for the harmonization of standardized procedures in collecting cereal-based food data and adequate assessment tools for dietary intake.

Meta-Analysis in Comparison between Cisplatin with Radiotherapy and Cetuximab with Radiotherapy in the Management of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Background Nowadays there is an increasing in the numbers of cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) all over the world. Which affect upper aerodigestive tract including the nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Objective To compare the using of radiotherapy (RT) with cisplatin versus cetuximab with RT in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). The comparison between these two treatment regimens will be done in terms of overall survival rate and toxicity. Patients and Methods We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) statement. PRISMA and MOOSE are reporting checklists for Authors, Editors, and Reviewers of Meta-analyses of interventional and observational studies. According to International committee of medical journal association (ICJME), reviewers must report their findings according to each of the items listed in those checklists. Results cetuximab with RT is associated with lower overall survival compared to cisplatin with RT in management of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, also patient treated with cetuximab were associated with higher rates of mortality compared to those treated with cisplatin Data Sources Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape, ScienceDirect. EMF-Portal) and all materials available in the Internet till 2020. Conclusion According to our study in the comparison between cisplatin with RT versus cetuximab with RT, cetuximab with RT is associated with lower overall survival compared to cisplatin with RT in management of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, also patient treated with cetuximab were associated with higher rates of mortality compared to those treated with cisplatin

Paper 01: Clinical Outcomes Following ACL Reconstruction with Slope Reducing High-Tibial Osteotomy: A Matched Case-Control Study

Objectives: Despite recent efforts, the reinjury rate following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains high, with documented reports of up to 30%. According to retrospective evidence, high posterior tibial slope (≥12°) has been identified as an anatomic risk factor contributing increased graft reinjury rates. Surgeons are therefore exploring the effectiveness of slope reducing high tibial osteotomy (SRO) as a means of modifying this potential risk factor. While cadaveric models suggest that this surgical procedure decreases the forces across the ACL graft, there are few clinical trials examining its’ safety and clinical effectiveness in patient samples. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare functional performance and graft reinjury rates between patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery with SRO versus matched controls undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction. We hypothesized that patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with SRO would exhibit similar performance outcomes with a low failure rate when compared to their matched counterparts. Methods: A retrospective matched-case control study was conducted in accordance with the ‘Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology’ guidelines for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (Figure 1), utilizing a single surgeon database (n=1978). The experimental group (ACL+SRO) consisted of patients ages 18-50 years old that were at least 24-months out of ACL reconstruction with a concomitant SRO. Patients were age, sex, and revision-matched to a cohort of individuals undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction. Exclusion criteria consisted of contralateral knee injury (&lt;24 months prior to surgery), isolated coronal-plane high tibial osteotomy, and multiligamentous knee injury. Patient demographics and surgical data were obtained, including pre/postoperative posterior tibial slope (o) for the ACL+SRO group and presurgery activity levels. Data were gathered at return to sports and included knee range of motion, single-leg balance, single-leg hop testing, and self-reported International Knee Documentation Committee and ACL-Return to Sports After Injury (ACL-RSI) scores. Complications and injury surveillance was conducted throughout the postoperative follow-up period. Primary outcome measures included the Single Assessment Numeric Scale (SANE), and graft failure rates at two-years. Secondary outcomes included return to sport rate and level of participation, and postoperative complications (infection, loss of motion, deep vein thrombosis, etc). Generalized Linear Models and chi-square analyses were conducted using SPSS (IBM, Chicago IL) to compare groups with an a-priori alpha level of .05. Results: Of the 1978 patients in the ACL registry, 48 met the study criteria and were included in the analyses (ACL+SRO group, n=24; Isolated ACL group, n=24). Baseline comparisons revealed that the ACL+SRO group had a higher bodyweight (200.9 ±35.1 vs 179.7 ±33.9, P &lt;.001) and subsequent higher body mass index (29.7 ±4.6 vs 26.7 ±5.0, P = .044), Table 1. Additional baseline differences included ACL graft type, and staged procedures ( P &lt; .05, Table 2). The mean preoperative posterior tibial slope was 17.0° ±2.7° and 7.0° ±2.2° following SRO (mean diff: -10.0°, P &lt;.001). Table 3 depicts the comparisons at return to sport, with the ACL+SRO group demonstrating longer time to return ( P &lt; .001) and lower ACL-RSI scores ( P = .027). At 2 years, there were no statistical differences in SANE score (85.3 ±7.3 vs 88.2 ±9.7, P = .349), graft reinjury rate (0.0% vs 0.0%, P = 1.000), rate of return to sports (85.7% vs 91.7%, P = .844), or level of return to sports between groups with 45.8% (n=11) of the ACL+SRO group returning to a level I or II cutting and pivoting sport versus 54.2% (n=13) in the Isolated ACL group ( P = .656). There were no reported postoperative infections or deep vein thromboses in either group (P &gt; .05). Conclusions: The current study suggests that SRO in the setting of ACL reconstruction for large posterior tibial slope deformities is effective at correcting malalignment, restoring objective and self-reported function, and avoiding graft failure out to 2 years. This procedure also holds promise to allow a majority of patients to return to various levels of sporting activities. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative study examining the return to sports and 2-year outcomes of this population to a matched isolated ACL cohort. While these data do provide evidence for ongoing investigation, we recommend the performance of larger clinical trials to confirm these results. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text]

A knowledge synthesis of health research reporting standards relevant to epilepsy surgery

AbstractObjectiveNumerous studies have examined epilepsy surgery outcomes, yet the variability in the level of detail reported hampers our ability to apply these findings broadly across patient groups. Established reporting standards in other clinical research fields enhance the quality and generalizability of results, ensuring that the insights gained from studying these surgeries can benefit future patients effectively. This study aims to assess current reporting standards for epilepsy surgery research and identify potential gaps and areas for enhancement.MethodsThe Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) repository was accessed from inception to April 27, 2023, yielding 561 available reporting standards. Reporting standards were manually reviewed in duplicate independently for applicability to epilepsy and/or neurosurgery research. The reporting standards had to cover the following aspects in human studies: (1) reporting standards for epilepsy/epilepsy surgery and (2) reporting standards for neurosurgery. Disagreements were resolved by a third author. The top five neurosurgery, neurology, and medicine journals were also identified through Google Scholar's citation index and examined to determine the relevant reporting standards they recommended and whether those were registered with EQUATOR.ResultsOf the 561 EQUATOR reporting standards, 181 were pertinent to epilepsy surgery. One was related to epilepsy, six were specific to surgical research, and nine were related to neurological/neurosurgical research. The remaining 165 reporting standards were applicable to research across various disciplines and included but were not limited to CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trails), STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology), and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses). None of these required reporting factors associated with epilepsy surgery outcomes, such as duration of epilepsy or magnetic resonance imaging findings.SignificanceReporting standards specific to epilepsy surgery are lacking, reflecting a gap in standards that may affect the quality of publications. Improving this gap with a set of specific reporting standards would ensure that epilepsy surgery studies are more transparent and rigorous in their design.

The State of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aims to contribute a descriptive analysis of the craniomaxillofacial trauma (CMF trauma) literature in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to identify knowledge gaps, direct future research, and inform policy. PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Review, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar from January 1, 2012 to December 10, 2023. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guided reporting, and the PRISMA flowchart documented database searches. Specific, predefined search terms and inclusion criteria were used for screening, and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE)checklist was used for quality assessment. The search yielded 54 articles, with 13 meeting the inclusion criteria. Key findings were summarized and divided into 7 categories. There were 10,420 patients (7739 [74.3%] male, 2681 [25.7%] female) with a male-to-female ratio of 2.9:1. The mean peak age of incidence of CMF trauma was 30.8 years, ranging from 20 to 40 years. Road traffic accidents were the leading cause (60.4%), followed by assault (27.2%) and falls (12.2%). The most common injuries were soft tissue injury (31.7%), isolated mandibular fracture (22.8%), and isolated middle-third of mandible fracture (18.1%). The most common treatments were closed reduction and immobilization (29.5%), conservative management (27.6%), and open reduction and internal fixation (19.6%). Most patients (77.8%) experienced a treatment delay due to a lack of fixation materials (54.8%) or surgeon unavailability (35.7%). CMF trauma remains a significant cause of global morbidity, yet there remains a lack of high-quality, CMF trauma-specific data in LMICs. Country-specific investigations are required to enhance knowledge and inform novel interventions. Implementing policy change must be community-specific and account for unique cultural barriers, attitudes, and behaviors to maximize patient care outcomes.

The OHStat Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies and Clinical Trials in Oral Health Research: Manuscript Checklist

Adequate and transparent reporting is necessary for critically appraising published research. Yet, ample evidence suggests that the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of oral health research could be greatly improved. Accordingly, the Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research—statisticians and trialists from academia and industry—identified the minimum information needed to report and evaluate observational studies and clinical trials in oral health: the OHStat Guidelines. Drafts were circulated to the editors of 85 oral health journals and to Task Force members and sponsors and discussed at a December 2020 workshop attended by 49 researchers. The guidelines were subsequently revised by the Task Force’s writing group. The guidelines draw heavily from the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT), Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), and CONSORT harms guidelines and incorporate the SAMPL guidelines for reporting statistics, the CLIP principles for documenting images, and the GRADE indicating the quality of evidence. The guidelines also recommend reporting estimates in clinically meaningful units using confidence intervals, rather than relying on P values. In addition, OHStat introduces 7 new guidelines that concern the text itself, such as checking the congruence between abstract and text, structuring the discussion, and listing conclusions to make them more specific. OHStat does not replace other reporting guidelines; it incorporates those most relevant to dental research into a single document. Manuscripts using the OHStat guidelines will provide more information specific to oral health research.

The OHStat Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies and Clinical Trials in Oral Health Research: Manuscript Checklist

Adequate and transparent reporting is necessary for critically appraising published research. Yet, ample evidence suggests that the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of oral health research could be greatly improved. Accordingly, the Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research—statisticians and trialists from academia and industry—identified the minimum information needed to report and evaluate observational studies and clinical trials in oral health: the Oral Health Statistical (OHStat) Guidelines. Drafts were circulated to the editors of 85 oral health journals and to Task Force members and sponsors and discussed at a December 2020 workshop attended by 49 researchers. The guidelines were subsequently revised by the Task Force’s writing group. The guidelines draw heavily from the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT), Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), and CONSORT harms guidelines and incorporate the SAMPL guidelines for reporting statistics, the CLIP principles for documenting images, and the GRADE indicating the quality of evidence. The guidelines also recommend reporting estimates in clinically meaningful units using confidence intervals, rather than relying on P values. In addition, OHStat introduces 7 new guidelines that concern the text itself, such as checking the congruence between abstract and text, structuring the discussion, and listing conclusions to make them more specific. OHStat does not replace other reporting guidelines; it incorporates those most relevant to dental research into a single document. Manuscripts using the OHStat guidelines will provide more information specific to oral health research.

Heat, humidity and health impacts: how causal diagrams can help tell the complex story

The global health burden associated with exposure to heat is a grave concern and is projected to further increase under climate change. While physiological studies have demonstrated the role of humidity alongside temperature in exacerbating heat stress for humans, epidemiological findings remain conflicted. Understanding the intricate relationships between heat, humidity, and health outcomes is crucial to inform adaptation and drive increased global climate change mitigation efforts. This article introduces ‘directed acyclic graphs’ (DAGs) as causal models to elucidate the analytical complexity in observational epidemiological studies that focus on humid-heat-related health impacts. DAGs are employed to delineate implicit assumptions often overlooked in such studies, depicting humidity as a confounder, mediator, or an effect modifier. We also discuss complexities arising from using composite indices, such as wet-bulb temperature. DAGs representing the health impacts associated with wet-bulb temperature help to understand the limitations in separating the individual effect of humidity from the perceived effect of wet-bulb temperature on health. General examples for regression models corresponding to each of the causal assumptions are also discussed. Our goal is not to prioritize one causal model but to discuss the causal models suitable for representing humid-heat health impacts and highlight the implications of selecting one model over another. We anticipate that the article will pave the way for future quantitative studies on the topic and motivate researchers to explicitly characterize the assumptions underlying their models with DAGs, facilitating accurate interpretations of the findings. This methodology is applicable to similarly complex compound events.

The Role of Gut Microbiota in Thromboangiitis Obliterans: Cohort and Mendelian Randomization Study.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), also known as Buerger's disease, is a rare vasculitis. Observational epidemiology studies have suggested a relationship between the gut microbiota and TAO. However, due to confounding factors and reverse causality, the causal relationship remains unclear. Based on the assumption of their association, this study sought specific gut microbiota causally linked to TAO. The case-control study was conducted at the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from November 2022 to January 2023 including twelve TAO patients and nine healthy controls. We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of gut microbiota and TAO. Considering the scale and accessibility of the data, the MiBioGen consortium served as the exposure, whereas the FinnGen consortium GWAS study served as the outcome. Finally, we compared the results of the MR with those of the case-control studies. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) (OR = 0.119, 95% CI: 0.021-0.688, p = 0.017) and maximum likelihood (ML) (OR = 0.121, 95% CI: 0.020-0.742, p = 0.022) estimates suggest that Ruminiclostridium 5 has a suggestive protective effect on TAO while the IVW (OR = 5.383, 95% CI: 1.128-25.693, p = 0.035) and ML (OR = 5.658, 95% CI: 1.142-28.021, p = 0.034) estimates suggest that Eubacterium (xylanophilum group) has a suggestive risk effect on TAO, and the ML (OR = 0.055, 95% CI: 0.004-0.755, p = 0.030) estimates suggest that Lachnospira has a suggestive protective effect on TAO. No significant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy was found. The results of the case-control study showed that the TAO had a lower relative abundance of Ruminiclostridium 5 (p = 0.015) and Lachnospira (p = 0.048), and a higher relative abundance of Eubacterium (xylanophilum group) (p = 0.029) than the healthy controls. These results were consistent with the MR analysis. Our study demonstrates that Ruminiclostridium 5, Lachnospira, and Eubacterium (xylanophilum group) are causally related to TAO, suggesting their potential significance for the prevention and treatment of TAO.

Development of a tool for rapid assessment of the evidence of human observational epidemiological studies with focus on risk of bias in the context of public health and risk assessment

Development of a tool for rapid assessment of the evidence of human observational epidemiological studies with focus on risk of bias in the context of public health and risk assessment

Manifestasi Klinis Infeksi Mpox pada Penderita HIV: Sebuah Telaah Sistematik dan Meta-Analisis

Introduction. Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus. Sexual intercourse is the biggest cause of mpox transmission. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that is also transmitted mostly through sexual routes. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to understand the clinical picture of mpox in relation to HIV infection. Methods. This meta-analysis followed MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. A systematic search for relevant studies was carried out using the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases covering the period 1 January 2022 to 31 May 2024. The keywords used were “Clinical feature” or “Clinical Manifestation” and “MPOX” or Monkey pox and “HIV”. Results. There were 8 studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Eight studies were identified with a total of 2,392 patients with and without HIV. In this meta-analysis, an analysis of each clinical manifestation appearing in patients was conducted, resulting in statistically significant findings, including lymphadenopathy (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.96), perianal lesions (RR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01-1.37), proctitis (RR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.37-2.35), rectal pain (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.52), rectal bleeding (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.52), and tenesmus (RR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.34-1.99). Conclusions. Enlarged lymph nodes, perianal lesions, proctitis, rectal pain, rectal bleeding, and tenesmus are the dominant clinical manifestations in mpox patients accompanied by HIV infection.